The second Test of this highly anticipated Ashes series has arrived, as England take on Australia at Lords with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead after victory in the first match.
The battle kicked off last week as these two fierce rivals went head-to-head for the first time in a five-day match since 2011, with the Three Lions eventually securing a dramatic 14-run win.
Many before the series had said that the Australians were weak and that it was the worst touring party for decades, but despite the top order failing to impress the visitors were far from pushovers.
The Aussie selectors had made the brave decision before the clash at Trent Bridge to give precocious 19-year-old talent Ashton Agar his Test debut – despite the spinner only having played 10 first-class matches.
The gamble paid off as Agar not only did well with the ball, but also top-scored in the first innings with an unexpected 98 when batting at No.11.
Unfortunately for the tourists their top order failed to reflect the teenager’s tenacity at the crease and Ed Cowan is likely to lose his place to Usman Khawaja as a result.
The home side meanwhile are not going to change a winning formula and will field an unchanged side; despite question marks already appearing over the capabilities of batsman Jonny Bairstow and bowler Steven Finn.
One Englishman who will certainly not be dropped is James Anderson, with the seamer’s 10-wicket haul at Nottingham further emphasising that the 30-year-old is the best swing bowler in world cricket currently.
There is all to play for going into this second Test, with England knowing a 2-0 lead will really knock the wind out of Australia’s sails, whilst the Baggy Greens want to get things level as quickly as possible.
